Search Results
Herman Story Wines "Larner Vineyard" Ballard Canyon Red 2014
96
Jeb Dunnuck
(8/10/2017) "From a site in Ballard Canyon (Santa Barbara County) and made from 52% Syrah and 48% Grenache, the 2014 Larner is another inky colored effort that reveal a fresh, lively perfume of flowers, blackberries, smoked meats and spice. Full-bodied, ethereally textured and seamless, with no hard edges and a seamless texture, it's another blockbuster from Russell that I'd be thrilled to drink anytime over the coming 4-6 years."
(8/10/2017) "From a site in Ballard Canyon (Santa Barbara County) and made from 52% Syrah and 48% Grenache, the 2014 Larner is another inky colored effort that reveal a fresh, lively perfume of flowers, blackberries, smoked meats and spice. Full-bodied, ethereally textured and seamless, with no hard edges and a seamless texture, it's another blockbuster from Russell that I'd be thrilled to drink anytime over the coming 4-6 years."
$
11499
Discount:
1.5 LT
Whitcraft Winery "La Cuna" Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2017
Highly limited release of this top bottling from winemaker Drake Whitcraft!
$
6899
Discount:
750 ML
Desparada "Fragment" Santa Barbara County Sauvignon Blanc 2017
91
Our Score
(6/2018) Winemaker Vailia From has been turning out some incredible wines under her Desparada label. Fragment is her Sauvignon Blanc. In 2017 she turned out 697 cases of this fullthrottle beauty! The wine sings of the warm Santa Barbara County sunshine where it grew up. Sourced from two excellent vineyards (McGinley and Presqu'ile), it is loaded with a mixed fruit basket of ripe, juicy and pure flavors including green apple, melon, lemon and lime zest, white grapefruit, guava, mango and more! Fresh green herbs and a hint of bell pepper add to the delightful list of aromas. Full and explosive on the palate, this intense, energetic and complex Sauvignon Blanc offers up immediate thirst quenching juiciness and refreshment that carries through to the long finish.
(6/2018) Winemaker Vailia From has been turning out some incredible wines under her Desparada label. Fragment is her Sauvignon Blanc. In 2017 she turned out 697 cases of this fullthrottle beauty! The wine sings of the warm Santa Barbara County sunshine where it grew up. Sourced from two excellent vineyards (McGinley and Presqu'ile), it is loaded with a mixed fruit basket of ripe, juicy and pure flavors including green apple, melon, lemon and lime zest, white grapefruit, guava, mango and more! Fresh green herbs and a hint of bell pepper add to the delightful list of aromas. Full and explosive on the palate, this intense, energetic and complex Sauvignon Blanc offers up immediate thirst quenching juiciness and refreshment that carries through to the long finish.
$
5499
Discount:
1.5 LT
Whitcraft Winery "Stolpman Vineyard" Santa Barbara Grenache 2017
92
Wine Enthusiast
(6/1/2019) "Drake Whitcraft is pushing the earlier-pick, low-alcohol styles like few others, and this almost rose-like Grenache is an extreme example. Transparent in the glass, the wine shows aromas of fresh strawberries, cinnamon, rose and tarragon. It's bright on the sip with cran-raspberry flavors and a simple touch of minty herbs. It's a great red wine for the beach. Editors' Choice."
(6/1/2019) "Drake Whitcraft is pushing the earlier-pick, low-alcohol styles like few others, and this almost rose-like Grenache is an extreme example. Transparent in the glass, the wine shows aromas of fresh strawberries, cinnamon, rose and tarragon. It's bright on the sip with cran-raspberry flavors and a simple touch of minty herbs. It's a great red wine for the beach. Editors' Choice."
$
4599
Discount:
750 ML
A Tribute to Grace Santa Barbara County Grenache Rose 2017
New low price! Regular Vin Chicago retail - $53.99!
91
Our Score
(5/2018) The arrival of Angela Osborne's "A Tribute to Grace" Rose is always much anticipated by staff and in-the-know customers. For those not familiar with the story, Angela - a New Zealand native - named the winery in honor of her grandmother, Grace, and these small-batch wines have developed quite a following. Crafted from specific biodynamically farmed blocks of Grenache in the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, Angela's 2017 Rose is incredibly finessed and beautifully structured. On the nose and palate there are a symphony of orange rind, white tea and red flowers. The finish is zesty and perfectly balanced by a bit of richness. The wine is amazing now, but it will be truly epic in another year. Dare we suggest decanting a Rose? Only 734 cases were produced of this incredibly finessed wine and we are thrilled to have been able to get our hands on some.
(5/2018) The arrival of Angela Osborne's "A Tribute to Grace" Rose is always much anticipated by staff and in-the-know customers. For those not familiar with the story, Angela - a New Zealand native - named the winery in honor of her grandmother, Grace, and these small-batch wines have developed quite a following. Crafted from specific biodynamically farmed blocks of Grenache in the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, Angela's 2017 Rose is incredibly finessed and beautifully structured. On the nose and palate there are a symphony of orange rind, white tea and red flowers. The finish is zesty and perfectly balanced by a bit of richness. The wine is amazing now, but it will be truly epic in another year. Dare we suggest decanting a Rose? Only 734 cases were produced of this incredibly finessed wine and we are thrilled to have been able to get our hands on some.
Deovlet Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2014
New low price! Regular Vin Chicago retail - $38.99!
92-93
Our Score
92
Wine Advocate
(8/30/2016) "Black cherries, graphite, underbrush, spring flowers and spice show in the ruby colored 2014 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County, which is a mix of Bien Nacido, Sebastiano and La Encantada Vineyards. Medium-bodied, pure and balanced, with fine tannin and a silky texture, drink this high quality beauty over the coming 7-8 years. The elevage here is 15 months in 25% new French oak."
(8/30/2016) "Black cherries, graphite, underbrush, spring flowers and spice show in the ruby colored 2014 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County, which is a mix of Bien Nacido, Sebastiano and La Encantada Vineyards. Medium-bodied, pure and balanced, with fine tannin and a silky texture, drink this high quality beauty over the coming 7-8 years. The elevage here is 15 months in 25% new French oak."
$
3399
Discount:
750 ML
Jaffurs "Thompson Vineyard" Santa Barbara County Petite Sirah 2016
93
Wine Advocate
(4/27/2018) "No one could mistake the 2016 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard from Jaffurs for anything but a Petite Sirah, but it's also remarkably elegant, wafting from the glass with aromas of plum preserve, tar, inky black fruits and licorice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and velvety, with good concentration and sappy fruit, deep and richly tannic without ever becoming overbearing."
(4/27/2018) "No one could mistake the 2016 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard from Jaffurs for anything but a Petite Sirah, but it's also remarkably elegant, wafting from the glass with aromas of plum preserve, tar, inky black fruits and licorice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and velvety, with good concentration and sappy fruit, deep and richly tannic without ever becoming overbearing."
$
3199
Discount:
750 ML
Tyler Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2016
A previous vintage of this wine was named to Antonio Galloni's "10 Wines That Changed My Life" list. Medium-full in body, the 2016 Tyler tastes of ripe apple, guava and fresh citrus with a hint of mineral, tangy richness and creamy butterscotch. The future of California Chardonnay!
92
Our Score
90
Wine Advocate
(4/27/2018) "The 2016 Chardonnay is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of honeyed citrus, white flowers and struck match. On the palate, it's elegantly glossy, medium-bodied and pure, with lovely cut and a chalky, mouthwatering finish. It's still showing a touch of sulfur dioxide after bottling, so if you plan on drinking this Chardonnay in the near future I'd recommend giving it a short decant. Drink Date 2018 - 2024."
(4/27/2018) "The 2016 Chardonnay is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of honeyed citrus, white flowers and struck match. On the palate, it's elegantly glossy, medium-bodied and pure, with lovely cut and a chalky, mouthwatering finish. It's still showing a touch of sulfur dioxide after bottling, so if you plan on drinking this Chardonnay in the near future I'd recommend giving it a short decant. Drink Date 2018 - 2024."
$
2999
Discount:
750 ML
A Tribute to Grace Santa Barbara County Grenache 2016
91
Our Score
91
Wine Enthusiast
(6/1/2018) "This is the most affordable and easiest-to-find take on Angela Osborne's uniquely light style of Grenache. Cranberry, hibiscus and crushed gravel show on the nose, while the palate carries her typically lively texture, persistent acidity and fresh flavors of pressed raspberries."
(6/1/2018) "This is the most affordable and easiest-to-find take on Angela Osborne's uniquely light style of Grenache. Cranberry, hibiscus and crushed gravel show on the nose, while the palate carries her typically lively texture, persistent acidity and fresh flavors of pressed raspberries."
Deovlet Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2014
New low price! Regular Vin Chicago retail - $31.99!
92
Our Score
92
Wine Advocate
(8/30/2016) "Coming in at the value end of the spectrum and a straight up Terrific effort, the 2014 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County (aged 16 months in 30% new French oak) has tons of crisp peach, salty sea breeze, white flowers and citrus. It is medium-bodied and lively, with vibrant acidity and a clean, pure, elegant profile that just begs you to pour another glass. Buy a case and drink it over the coming 4-6 years."
(8/30/2016) "Coming in at the value end of the spectrum and a straight up Terrific effort, the 2014 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County (aged 16 months in 30% new French oak) has tons of crisp peach, salty sea breeze, white flowers and citrus. It is medium-bodied and lively, with vibrant acidity and a clean, pure, elegant profile that just begs you to pour another glass. Buy a case and drink it over the coming 4-6 years."
$
2799
Discount:
750 ML
